Avalanche course, who's taken one?

[thump426er]

Well worth the knowledge you gain considering the consequences out in the mtns. Makes you aware of your environment for sure too. As EricW mentioned good idea to do it with your riding group as you're more likely (and beneficial) as a group to watch for the signs you would learn in class and make decisions together with that knowledge rather than a single guy within a group trying to sway the group to make decisions.

 

[GKR]

I have taken the Zac's Tracks course up here in Edmonton as well. I thought both the classroom and field sessions we equally as valuable and very strongly encourage everyone to take them (a must have actually).
After 15 years of riding in the mountians I really had my eyes open to how many things I was doing wrong and how many high risk situations I was in over the years. I also felt the field sessions were super important along with practise to follow as you will find when the pressure is on and you are in a rescue situation most people had no real clue what to do, how to properly use the beacon, and how really hard it is to dig someone out. And this was in a mock drill, put one of your friends in a real life/death situation and I'm sure this is magnified.
Make sure you encourage all your group to go, after all it's your buddies that will be saving you so they need to be good at it, not just you!

 

[RideGuy]

Yup.... Nothing like taking the course and realizing how much I didn't know that I thought I knew....

Flux lines mainly.....

 

[drscotch]

I took the course from Zac's Tracks as well. Highly recommended.

 

[ruffryder]

I have taken several... and I try to take at least one a year. You seem to always pick up something new, and it is good to go over the basics often. Plus it helps to get the frame of reference / mindset ready for the winter.

Flux lines mainly.....

That is the big one... You have to trust the beacon...

 

[tudizzle]

Taken one but should probably hit up a refresher, couldn't hurt!

I carry beacon, shovel, probe and just added an ABS pack to my safety gear....thanks SnowBigDeal!

 

[R J]

Thanks, I might have to look into this!

The picture gives it all away. Welcome Jake!

 

[R J]

Took one from Mike Duffy when he offered the seminar in Laramie WY last winter.

Very informative. If I can find the time off work I'd like to take his Level I class in Vail sometime.

That's the guy that did the training. Great guy.

 

[mac900rmk]

Took the classroom and field session with Zac's Tracs.
Glad I did the field day to get hands on with the content from the class. Pretty easy to do a snow pack test.
I think the field day is a must. You learn how to practice with your beacon instead of strapping it on and hoping you'll figure it out when the time comes. It also shows you how hard it can be to organize a search find a beacon and dig it out properly. I'm sure it took Randy some time to bury that dummy that deep.

 

[08DRG700]

I have

Taken a 1 hour, 2-8 hour and 2-3day clases. all good stuff, and always more to learn!!

 

[wjl]

Avy 1 and Avy 2, I also try to attend seminars each year to keep up to date.
Going to one this weekend in SLC.
Working at a ski hill during the winter I can work on my skills and drills alot. (beacons set up around the mountain and avy park to pratice in).

Good stuff to know.

 

[roughrider99]

Avy 1 and Avy 2, I also try to attend seminars each year to keep up to date.
Going to one this weekend in SLC.
Working at a ski hill during the winter I can work on my skills and drills alot. (beacons set up around the mountain and avy park to pratice in).

Good stuff to know.

what do you learn in the level 2 course? is it for teaching or advanced avalanche education? When it comes to this stuff i'm always willing to learn more cause knowledge is power and can save your or someone's life!

 

[MTNMAN800]

I've been to several. It helps keep the information fresh in ones mind.

 

[wjl]

Avy 2 for our class (could have changed, mine was 3 full days) just adding to Avy 1
Was more weather and history. What is happening now will have affect on what happens later in the season.
More field tests, density of the snow,plotting of data,compairing the present data with past to see if there was a trend.
Our group also got to go ski cut and do some back country avlanche study and yes we set off some large sluffs. It was an eye opener.
Did some speed checks with a radar gun (on a avy day at the ski hill) and some were moving as fast as 60mph.
That stuff sets up like concrete.

The class was lucky we recived over 48" in 3 days of our class. Lots to sudy.

 

[MARCUSO]

I took Zacs Tracs Avy course. I would highly recommend it. I is something you will never regret. Like everyone mentions, you realize how much you don't know.

 

[mgdjeepster]

Just signed up for mike duffy's class today..... can't wait

 

[m-fire8]

5 of us took mikes class in Milwaukee 2 weeks ago great info for the times out west better being safe than sorry.

 

[snoman159]

Hey R J, I took Mike's class in Detroit Lakes also. Great class, well worth the money. I probably talked to you at some point along the line, where were you sitting? I was the college guy up front and center.

 

[tomx]

Got my AIARE (http://avtraining.org/) Level I Avalanche Certification from Pro Guides (North Bend, WA) last year. Three day class was the most eye opening experience of my life. I've been taking the BC for granted for too many years. I think the knowledge really benefited me last season and kept me from making some stupid mistakes. Now, I'm feeling like a refresher is in order for this season.

 

[R J]

Hey R J, I took Mike's class in Detroit Lakes also. Great class, well worth the money. I probably talked to you at some point along the line, where were you sitting? I was the college guy up front and center.

Right hand side first table near the aisle. Black Klim jacket and Tucker Sno-Cat shirt.